Kanaksi Khimji passes away

Muscat: Kanaksi Gokaldas Khimji, chairman of Khimji Group of Companies, passed away on Thursday.

As a mark of respect to departed Kanaksi Khimji, all Khimji Ramdas (KR ) Group operations including retail outlets will remain closed today.

"Deeply saddened to learn about passing away of Kanaksi Khimji. An institution builder and a father figure to the Indian community; he also made huge contributions to bilateral partnerships. I will always cherish memories of my warm interactions with him. Heartfelt condolences," Munu Mahawar, Indian Ambassador to Oman said.

Kanaksi born in 1936 in Muscat and completed his education in Mumbai. He has been spearheading the Khimji Ramdas businesses for five decades and was granted Omani citizenship for his outstanding contribution to the growth of the community and economy.

Kanaksi is also the first person in the Gulf region to have been honored with India’s Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award in recognition of his zealous commitment to social activities in Oman and India.

Kanaksi was instrumental in establishing Oman’s first English medium Indian School in Muscat (1975). Indian Schools issued a statement saying all schools will be closed today as a mark of respect to Kanaksi Gokaldas Khimji.

Today, there are 21 such schools in Oman with over 47,000 students of the Indian diaspora reaping the benefits of quality education.

As a mark of respect for the departed soul, all online classes of Indian schools were suspended on Thursday.

“Kanaksi Gokaldas Khimji has been the godfather of Indian Schools in Oman. It is his passionate service that has established this system in Oman and ensured access to education for the Indian diaspora here. We, as the Board, schools, faculty, parents, and students will remain forever indebted to his vision and contributions. On behalf of the Board and the entire Indian Schooling system, I offer our deepest condolences to his family at this time of irreparable loss,” Dr. Baby Sam Saamuel, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman said in his obituary message."

He is also the founding chairman of the Oman Cricket Club.

A true philanthropist at heart, he firmly believed that business growth and giving back to society should always go hand in hand. He always espoused children’s education and development as one of the key social outreaches for the Group.

He has been a guiding light and visionary who inspired an entire generation of businessmen. His ethical approach to business stands testament to the KR Group’s reputation and growth.

It is owing to his enterprising guidance that the Khimji Ramdas Group has been a much sought after partner for global brands wanting to foray into Oman. He also lent his support to fledgling local businesses and helped them thrive.

Kanak Khimji was an ardent lover of the sport of Cricket and was the founding Chairman of the Oman Cricket Club. He worked tirelessly to enhance the level of the game in the Sultanate and was awarded the prestigious “Pepsi - ICC Lifetime Service Award 2011” by the International Cricket Council.